Blindness

Rachel and Leah - “Jealousy Blinds Us To God’s Blessings”

1:00 PM

 



Rachel and Leah. Two sisters instrumental in the history of the Jewish people who spent their lives competing over the affections of the same man. This caused deep  jealousy between the sisters. And the envy boiling inside of Rachel, made her blind to the blessings she received from God. 

Rachel and Leah - “Jealousy Blinds Us To God’s Blessings” 



Rachel nibbled on a long piece of grass as she drove her father’s herd to drink. The animals knew the path, so only once or twice did the young shepherdess have to swat a wayward lamb back into line. As the flock neared the watering well, Rachel saw the figure of a strange man standing among the shepherds waiting to water their sheep. Upon getting close enough for his face to come into full view, their eyes locked, and it was love at first sight. And so began the tormented triangle between Rachel, her sister Leah, and Jacob, the man they both loved.


As Rachel adjusted her bridal veil, she could hardly wait for the ceremony. Finally after agreeing to work seven years for Laban, Rachel and Jacob were to be wed. Her father was holding a great feast, and after would bring her to her new husband so they could consummate their marriage. But as the time passed, and with no one coming to get her, Rachel began to worry. And when Laban finally did come to her tent, her expectant joy soon turned to sorrow. For her father broke the news that her beloved had instead married her older sister Leah. Feelings of confusion, devastation, and betrayal filled Rachel, and she crumpled to the ground in a pile of tears. 


How could her father do this? How could her sister betray her? And how could the man who had pledged his love for her marry another? The next morning, with Laban’s deception revealed, Jacob agreed to work yet another seven years for the hand of Rachel. But the wedding wouldn’t happen for another week. And each day that passed, Rachel watched the celebrations held in Leah’s bridal tent. And each day that passed, the heart of Rachel seethed with jealousy.


The wedding came and went without much fanfare. There was no feast, or celebration, yet at least Jacob and Rachel were married. But instead of beaming with honeymoon happiness, Rachel was sullen. Yes it was true that she was able to marry for love. But she had waited 14 years. And yes she was beautiful, and cherished by Jacob. But she had to share her beloved husband. And yes she didn’t need to worry about her sister, because she too was well taken care of. But that came about as a result of her father’s deception. Because of her bitterness and jealousy, Rachel was blind to all of her many blessings. 


Rachel spent the rest of her life bitterly competing with her sister. And even though she knew the pain deception can cause, she too many times, practiced the art. God had blessed Rachel with much, but all she could see was what she didn’t have. And it was that blindness which eventually cost Rachel her life. Being barren, God had opened her womb and blessed her with her precious son Joseph. But Rachel wasn’t satisfied, for her sister Leah had more sons. And so her first words after the birth of her baby were, “May the Lord give me another son.” The Lord did give her another son, Benjamin. But Rachel died giving birth, leaving her beloved Joseph, Benjamin, and Jacob behind and broken-hearted.


Jealousy made Rachel blind to her blessings, and it can do the same to us. Sin, an ungrateful heart, and bitterness, all cloud our vision to the blessings God so generously gives. But when we start each day with gratitude, praise, and rejoicing, not only are our eyes opened, but so is our heart. And we can joyfully sing to the Lord, “amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind, but now I see.”

God's Blessings

It Isn’t Fair! {Matthew 19:1-20:34}

12:00 AM



After leaving Galilee, Jesus came into the region of Judea where He continued His teaching. After hearing the Lord tell a young man to sell all he had, give it to the poor, and in return he would have treasure in heaven, Peter came to Him saying, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” (vs. 19:27) In response Jesus not only describes the rewards that await those who sacrifice for his sake, He also makes a very curious statement; “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” (vs. 19:30) He then explains what he means by telling the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

A landowner set out very early in the morning to find workers for his vineyard. The first men he hired agreed to work for the usual daily wage of a worker, and went immediately to labor in the vineyard. Throughout the day the man goes out and hires more workers agreeing to pay them whatever is right. At the end of the day the landowner tells his foreman to, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first." (vs. 20:8) The men hired last and who worked the least were not only paid first, they were paid the same wage as the men who had worked the whole day. Now as you can imagine this didn’t set well with the men who had worked from morning to dusk, and so they complained. To their grumblings the landowner replied, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go; but I wish to give to this last the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (vs. 20:13-16)

I have to admit that I use to struggle with the meaning of this parable. At first glance it seems a lesson about an unjust landowner, and how life isn’t fair. But when you dig deeper, you find it’s a lesson in grace and how a fair God pays a fair wage to all of His workers.

The group of disgruntled vineyard laborers represent the Israelites, more specifically the Pharisees, who were angered at the thought of God’s kingdom being available not only to them, but to all. Filled with jealousy they grumbled against the Lord for His blessings not being reserved for them alone. Now I have to confess, that I too have had that same attitude. Twinges of jealousy when I saw God bless others while I, His long suffering servant, wait for my own. I too have thought that because I’ve worked harder or longer for the Lord I deserve to be paid first, or more than the next. But such an attitude reveals a heart that has forgotten the meaning of grace. Grace is God’s unmerited favor and mercy. Grace is what He extends to all of His laborers; regardless of when they joined the workforce. Grace is what enables us to all receive the same glorious wage of eternal life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)

As Ruler and Creator of all, God is free to bestow His blessings when and on whom He wills. But we can trust that He is faithful to all the workers in His kingdom. To longtime laborers the Lord promises to reward our perseverance and obedience (Col. 3:23-24). To new laborers He promises that the moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are entitled to the same benefit package as those hired before us. (Eph. 1:13-14). So rejoice! For regardless if you are first or last to receive His blessings, we can all celebrate the promise of an eternity spent with Jesus and in the presence of the One true living God!